YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER

LOCATION:         St Albans Road, Hemel Hempstead

SALARY:             £25,350               

HOURS:              Full-Time 37.5 pw

About the role

The young people’s semi-independent services are a dedicated team committed to providing supporting and empowering environments for young people aged 16 – 18 years who are under the care of the Local Authority. Our approach is rooted in the principles of psychologically informed environments (PIE), ensuring that our services are tailored to meet the psychological and emotional needs of those we support.  We believe in creating safe, welcoming spaces that foster growth, resilience and positive change, whilst adhering to Ofsted regulations.

We are seeking a compassionate and dynamic support worker to join our team.  In this role you will provide flexible and responsive support to the young people, adapting to their individual needs and circumstances.  Your work will be guided by the principles of PIE, ensuring that all interactions are trauma-informed and empathetic.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide one to one and group support to young people, helping them achieve their personal goals and improve their well-being.
• Build trusting and respectful relationships with young people, understanding their unique backgrounds and challenges.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external agencies to deliver a coordinated and holistic support plan.
• Where required support young people to attend appointments both in house & externally.
• Conduct assessments and develop individualised support plans in partnership with young people.
• Promote a safe, inclusive and PIE across all service settings.
• Ability to work on a 4 week rolling rota, covering a mixture of 7am-3pm & 2pm-10pm shifts, including weekends.
• Facilitate activities and interventions that support personal development, resilience and social inclusion.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of support provided and progress made.
• Participate in regular training and supervision to enhance skills and knowledge related to PIE.
• Ensure that all practices and services meet Ofsted regulations and standards, maintaining the highest levels of safeguarding and quality support.

Qualifications and experience:

• Qualified to NVQ Level 3 in Children & Young People/equivalent or willing to work towards achieving the qualifications within the work place.
• Experience working with young people, particularly those facing complex challenges such as family breakdown, challenging behaviour, complex mental health issues or substance misuse.
• Understanding and commitments to the principles of psychologically informed environments (PIE).
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt communication to the individual needs of the young person with the ability to engage and motivate.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work across different locations within the community and respond to varying needs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and reflective practice.
• Applicant must be car driver with use of car. Please note that business car insurance is mandatory.
• Knowledge of or willingness to understand Ofsted regulations and standards, with experience in ensuring compliance in a youth support setting.

Safer recruitment requirements:

• All applicants must complete a detailed application form, providing a full employment history and explaining any gaps in employments.
• Applicants will be required to provide at least two professional references, including one from their most recent employer, which will be checked before any offer of employment is made.
• A rigorous interview process will be conducted, which could include scenario-based questions to assess suitability for working with young people in a PIE environment & second stage interviews with our ‘Voicebox’ team, which includes current service users from various schemes.  
• All successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS check prior to starting employment. There is a requirement that all employees register on the Update Service. Full costs will be reimbursed. Update Service and other DBS online services - (url removed) (www.(url removed))
• Verification of qualifications and professional memberships will be conducted.
• Proof of identity and right to work in the UK must be provided.
• Successful candidates must complete a probationary period during which their performance and suitability for the role will be closely monitored.

Benefits:

• Competitive mileage allowance
• Supportive and inclusive working environment
• Chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people
• Generous annual leave allowance of 33 days per year, including statutory bank holidays, rising to 35 days with service pro rota
• £25,350pa for a 37.5 hour a week contract. Sleep in shifts paid as over-time and not included in the 37.5 hour contract.
• Annual bonus based on satisfactory performance
• Monthly attendance bonus on top of your basic salary
• Annual salary and cost of living review
• Commitment to health and wellbeing with the Five Ways to Wellbeing
• Opportunity for professional development and training to deliver outstanding support
• Workplace pension scheme and life assurance of three times your annual salary
• Refer-a-friend scheme: Earn a £130 bonus for each friend you refer to work for us
• Access to the Employee assistance helpline
• Opportunity for overtime

How to Apply

To apply for the position of Youth Support Worker please complete an online application form.

Please see below for a copy of the Youth Support Worker job description.

Hightown is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Successful candidates will need to have a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service, together with any other relevant recruitment checks.

We are an Equal Opportunities & Disability Confident Employer.